Hen I got in September Still Won't let me pick her up

[Aubrinator]

My pet hen Daisy is a cochin/australorp mix. She has laid eggs since Dec. 27 last year. We got her at 16 weeks. She is a pretty hen, but will not let anyone pick her up. I like to pet my birds, but she won't let me. I feed her treats, but she dosen't come to close and runs if I throw any in her direction. Does anyone know a way to get her used to us? I would hate for her to get hurt (heaven forbid-she's fought and won against a hawk) and not let us see what's wrong with her. Thanks.

 

[terrilhb]

Give her time. Mine will be 1 yr in July. Some will others won't. Takes time and patience. Which I have none of. LOL Good luck

 

[cbeth95]

A lot of chickens get like that. You've just got to catch her some way and hold her. If you do this everyday she will get used to you. You can also talk softly to her before you go to pick her up. But you have got to start picking her up.

Hope this helped!

 

[MakNugget]

It all depends on personality, I think. The hormones calmed down a bit after the eggs started coming, but my australorp still would try to dodge my grabby hands if possible. It's to the point where I don't even try unless she's let her guard down and can't back away. Once I have her though she's fine, talkative as ever.

But then again, she has a reason for not wanting to be held. She's #3, and for whatever reason #2 buff orpington will thrash her if she's aware of it. It's so bad that I have to hold her out of striking distance, and be careful to give plenty of distraction when putting her down. #2 is an attention w..

 

[TigerLilly]

I catch mine while they are in the coop & hold them. Lots easier than chasing them around the yard when they're ranging!
What about picking her up right after she gets on the roost? Is there anything wrong with that?

 

[Afterburner]

My Jersey Giant wouldn't let me come near until after her first molt. Now she chases me around and does the submission mode until I pick her up and take her for a walk. My two Production Reds have been touch friendly since they were a few months old. Some breed just take a little longer before they feel comfortable with physical human contact.

 

[Gypsy07]

Most of my chickens are friendly and will take food from my hand but are still almost impossible to pick up when they're out free ranging. I only have one I can just stretch out my hands and pick up and even then sometimes she dodges away. I think the quick unexpected grab is rather rude and I don't like to frighten them, so if I want to pick anyone up for whatever reason I do it when they're back in the coop for the night. They're calmer once it's dark and they mostly don't make any noise when I pick them up then. I think that's much better than just grabbing someone and having her kick up a stink about it and before I know it everyone's squawking and panicking and flapping about all over the place.

 

[Judy]

Did anyone mention offering treats in the palm of your hand? Several of mine will eat from my hand but I don't even have one any more that actually jumps up in my lap, though I used to. But since they are this used to me, picking them up off the roost is also no problem, no one gets panicky. I agree in general that grabbing them when they aren't looking isn't fair, just frightens them (rude may be a good word for that.) I have done it, though, a couple of times when I was sitting near the feeder and they were eating -- they've already chosen to come that close and seemed to accept my handling them at that point.

I haven't taken it any further because I really don't want lap chickens, just chickens that aren't terrified of me.